Crystal River Reviews

According to my kids the manatees are slow moving big rocks with moss but we all loved them also the other animals we saw from eagles to the owls to the foxes and wolves and bears all super,

The Explorida Manatee Tour was wonderful. We were able to get up close to the manatees and when the area we were swimming in became crowded, they took us to another beautiful spot where we saw a mother manatee with her calf. The tour guide and boat captain were great - they told us all about the manatee habits. They were so helpful and catered to our every need. We swam in wet suits and the water is 72 degrees all year and very clear. It was a very relaxing, enjoyable day. I highly recommend it.

We didn't do much here, just a layover while we visited friends an to see the manatees. We were on our way to Daytona beach.

Needs some new business-revamping the area-lots of empty store fronts-too many fast food restaurants. Citrus Ave. is quaint, but that's about it

We wanted to swim with manatees but did not book in advance. W asked the lady at the hotel check in the night before. Wish I could remember the name of the company. It was in the hotel parking lot with it's own launch. The boat was clean and all safety gear was provided. We received a briefing and then our guide got in the river with us and the other stayed on the boat to watch our stuff. We swam in the river itself for about 50 yards and then went into a designated refuge. They were all over, literally probably 30 in the little area we were. They are protected so you aren't supposed to touch and so we spent more time avoiding them as they would come up to us. Our guide fed us info and kept us together, there were only 6 of us and they keep the groups small. My teen didn't want to go, so just my 10 YO daughter and I, and we loved it. I will absolutely make the drive if I'm ever in Tampa again.

Swim with the manatees and plenty of nature walks/trails. Also plenty of restaurant chioices in the area.

We visited Crystal River in January for the "Swim with Manatee" tour. In the winter months, a large number of manatees huddle in the springs near Crystal River where the water temperature is critical for their survival. Manatees are vegetarian and have a calm personality. I was in awe when observing these massive mammals when snorkeling, as they swim freely in the water, and some curious ones come up close to interact with human.

Wonderful. Worth planning into your travels in Florida. Very special place . Best Western was the best hotel.

What can I say about this amazing place. Go in the water and swim with the manatees, observe from a walkway bridge, or kayak with them. Unbelievable experience!!!

With crystal clear water it's easy to see the manatees. Take the trolly from city hall for easy parking.

THis is the spot to go to see and swim with Manatee in thier natural habitat. there are certain rules that you needto follow when in the water with these gental creatures so be sure to know how to properly and safely interact with these amazing creatures

If you love wildlife and are attracted to these beautiful, gentle and rare creatures, Crystal River is a must visit.

If you are a nature lover, this is the place for you. I love Manatees, and snorkeling with them is one of the great experiences of my life. You can go on a Manatee tour, or rent a canoe, kayak or body board to join the manatees.

Beautiful place to see the Manatees. Take the shuttle tour. There is a nice boardwalk and good view of the Manatees.

Once we finally arrived at the festival it was quite nice. Lots of different vendors and plenty to eat and drink and the area was very clean. It could use more places to sit considering this is a huge retirement area and older people need to sit more often.
The website says to park at the schools and take the transportation provided to the festival. We tried and it was a nightmare. We arrived about 8:45am at the school. Parked and got on a school bus. The driver did not know how to get to the festival. After winding down some streets she stopped to let us out. We were at the back of the bus and the last to get out. I looked and we were at an intersection with Route 19 and no festival in sight. I asked where the festival is and the driver said she was not sure but maybe if we walked a couple blocks in back of us we could find it. She admitted that she has never been trained on how to get from the school to the festival and this was her first time attempting to drive to it. We then got back on the bus, went back to the school and drove to the festival. Parking was not bad that early but later in the day it was really bad. The school parking was no way able to take care of the cars that were coming. There was only one bus we saw that held maybe 50 people. When we returned to the school there had to be 150 people waiting to get on one bus with a driver that was clueless as to where to go. Moral, go early and park downtown.

Captain Dallas and Hunter were great, super personalities and very knowledgeable about manatees. I think we saw 8 or 9 and that was a lot for this time of year. We did not swim but the 3 that did really enjoyed the experience, they were from Germany.

We have spent the last 2 winters in Crystal River, it’s not so crowded like a lot of places in Florida. We rented pontoon boats both winters, watching the Manatees and snorkeling with them, viewing other wild life. Great places to eat seafood or steaks etc. Like Cody’s Roadhouse, Peck’s, Seafood Sellers, and Crump’s on the water for great seafood. Just a laidback place.

We had originally planned to stay in Crystal River and then go on day trips around the area but found that there was so much to do in Crystal River - Three Sisters, Biking, Shopping, kayaking, etc. - that we stayed in the area the whole time. Very much enjoyed our trip here - highly recommend.

My husband and I stayed at Plantation Inn and rented a kayak for the day from their boat launch. We saw a huge variety of birds, several manatees ( despite it being the end of May and not meant to be s good season for spotting them) a dolphin, turtles, lots of beautiful fish and an otter. Stopped for a swim in 3 sisters spring which was beautiful. We had such an amazing day that the following morning we abandoned our plans and went out again. This time we left at 7:30 in the morning ( the rentals didn't really start until 8 but they were brilliant about letting us take the kayak early) and we had 3 sisters spring to ourselves for over an hour! With no one else there the water was amazingly clear . The best thing we did on an amazing vacation.

My friend and I went on a manatee tour with Melissa and Alex.
It was FANTASTIC!
Melissa and Alex are very knowledgeable and friendly. There were great!
We got an excellent spot and had the best experience. Of all the tours, go with this company.
Hands down, they are the best!

Swimming with Manatees!! It was AMAZING and you must do this.We did the tour with Fun2Dive and we can recommend it to 100%. It was my best experience so far!

We came here hoping to see Manatees but it was so much more. We hiked the trails around the springs. Everyone working there was extremely nice and knowledgeable. We encountered many different kinds of birds and plants on our hike. The water color was crystal clear and beautiful, unfortunately there wasn’t any manatees. I will definitely visit again.

Great place to see manatees, even during off season. Visit the Three Sisters Springs and stay at the Crystal Blue Lagoon B&B.

Captain Al showed us an amazing experience. He has an eye for spotting manatees and made sure we were able to get up close and experience these beautiful animals! We couldn’t have asked for a better trip and we have amazing photos and videos so we can relive the day!

The group leaders, while in the water, should be aware that when they are interacting with a manatee, the paying customers are blocked from the same experience.

Crystal River was a lovely River. TOO many people, tour boats, just too many people that have no idea the water rules!!!! Thank goodness the animals are protected.

I think everyone should visit the area and see the manatees. I think then, people would appreciate natural and be more diligent to take of our environment.

I'm just a normal guy

Boat and crew were great! However, so many tourists and kayaks, water was not terribly clear to see well.

Such a fun trip. The weather wasn't too good so it was hard to see some of the manatees but we had fun anyway.

Crystal River is more than just "one" thing. It's recreation, natural beauty, a habitat and a step back in time. I'm always amazed at how few Floridian's seek out this little gem. If you want a family getaway with none of the hi-tech distractions, then this is your place.

This place is well preserved and beautiful. The surroundings are quaint and the area is well maintained. Many commerical guide business companies use the area to snorkel, tourists to swim with the manatees and such but all seemed to respect the peace and quiet of this small area. It was our favorite day trip during our vacation. If youre a nature lover and get the chance, try snorkeling or kayaking. Its worth the trip.

we took our own kayak so had plenty of time to explore the area. as expected most manatees were near Three Sisters area, which was very crowded, congested. had a great time anyway, especially with the few active manatees we found outside the springs

If you are in the Tampa Area... definitely recommend you stop in and see some manatees! This bay is a hidden gem and touring with Captain Wayne was such a great experience! I highly recommend.

Nice area with many shops and restaurants also numerous tour companies offering trips to see or actually swim with manatees

We went in off season so there were only a few tourists but enough Manatees to swim with (at one time there were 5 in a close area. Close enough that I was touching 2 at a time.

Rob and team were amazing. Choose Fun 2 dive for personal and great experience. Best team out of all the companies who show manatees around the area.

This was a bucket list excursion. Quite amazing and totally in awe with these incredible mammals. The guides were outstanding and informative. Highly recommend this.

I treasure all these sweet little small Florida towns!
Here you should take a pontoon float over to the springs during manatee season Feb has been my best! July to Nov is a great time to go scalloping which was this visit and we had so much fun! Hotels are not exactly what one would hope for so a house or camping may be your best bet!

We really enjoyed the Manatees. We had a great guides with Fun 2 Dive and they are highly recommended. Worth the money and the time. A must see if you are in Tampa from Nov to April.

Crystal river paddle to 3 Sisters and Hunter Springs was the perfect way to end our 3 day kayaking trip in the area!
A leisurely paddle from Pete's Pier (where we launched) to 3 Sister's springs and then circle around back to Hunter's spring. The water was pretty rough on Wens. in the bay area and there was surprisingly quite a bit of boat traffic in the canals to the springs- mostly the adventure pontoon boats shuttling visitors and snorkelers. There were a few group of kayakers hanging out above the spring heads for almost an hour, so we barely saw the 3 sister springs.
Not much wildlife to observe-too warm for manatees, so it was really just about viewing the springs.
Glad to have done it and now crossed it off my bucket list!

Very beautiful! It is a great place for anyone that want to experience wildlife in Florida. But for Florida residents it is a wonderful place to take your kids to learn about our beautiful State!

What a quaint little town went to see manatees, visited some shops and had lunch we really enjoyed see the sights loved this little town

We kayaked to the springs and saw a multitude of manatees close up. Very pretty, but lots of tourists on the weekends. I recommend a weekday.

Semi-rural, friendly town close to the Gulf. Lots to do and see, lots of restaurants and stores.... inexpensive area and very biker-friendly! A+

Dave and captain James where so nice and amazing I hope to see them again.i loved captain James jokes and Dave was so nice. So was James!have a great day and thank you!!

Great in the summer for the day out but you can not get tot he sea.
Also great in the winter - I have swam with the manatee here on christmas Eve.

Crystal? Yes, back in 1982. But on each subsequent visit we note that it's becoming more green and translucent. And the few surviving manatee are coming harder to locate.

Beyond and I mean beyond disappointed! I have wanted to do this for years and just went on March 17th and did not see a single
manatee. Our guide kept saying that the manatees have moved out because the weather was warmer. So they CLEARLY know when the manatees are there and when they are not. I was in Maui last year and they will
flat out not take people put for whale watching at the end of the season because they said it would basically be stealing peoples money! And this is what they did! They flat out stole people’s money!!!! My family and I spent $400 to see absolutely nothing!!!!!!! And our guide said to my husband “this is going to be a rough day” because he had many other tours to take out and knew they would see nothing!
They advised it as if you would see manatees for sure. This is highway robbery!!!!!!!!!!!
DO NOT DO IT!!!!!

Great refreshing place. The problem is that on arrival we are told that following global warming the manatees leave the river as early as May. That said, it remains a great picnic and nature spot with crystal clear water and some places with beaches to swim in the area.
For the lamentations we'll come back. For family meals by the water it is great.

Probably should have been there a couple of weeks earlier, since the water had warmed up enough that the manatees had moved out of Three Sisters springs and into the bay, where the water's not as clear.

The whole experience wasn't what we thought it would be, though - if you want to see nature around there, you will pay, you will wait, and you will be part of a crowd. Kayaked into Three Sisters and it was so full we could nearly touch the boats around us, and just walking up the Three Sisters boardwalk will cost you $15! Did take a manatee tour out into the bay, there were several boats and lots of snorkelers wherever we went but we did get to see them in the murky water.

We didn't find any easy publlc access to the water, our room and the food at the Plantation were really substandard, we finally got fed up, canceled our last day fishing trip, and went on home.

This was truly one of my greatest experiences. My wife actually talked me into it as I generally have no desire to get into rivers, lakes, or any other murky body of water. However, after putting on a wet suit and seeing my first manatee, all anxiety faded into pure bliss. These gentle giants are wonderful creatures who are very interactive.even the mothers with calves love to interact. They are curious creatures who love to be touched and nuzzle with you. Their greeting is much like the kiss of a human, so they come right up and kiss you if they want interaction. After that they roll over for belly rubs, and nuzzle all over you. Great place to legally enjoy the company of an elusive gentle giant. Be advised, wear water shoes if you have them. Highly recommended.

Great boating and snorkeling with the manatees through the Adventure Center at the Plantation on Crystal River, with Captain Ed and Bob.

You need to decide whether you're there for the manatee tours, scuba diving, water touring boats, etc.....or the food because there's plenty of each and it's all great! Best to check in at the Chamber of Commerce on 19 when you arrive and look at the brochures!

My son and I visited Crystal River for Thanksgiving 2017, and had a great experience. At every restaurant where we ate, we enjoyed excellent food. We ate fresh fish every day at Cracker's, Oyster's, and Charlie's Fish House. We also stayed at the Best Western, and had a great experience there, but could've been better. Crystal River is not too commercialized or touristy, so it was a pleasant place to vacation.

We went to see the manatees, but due to record warm temps in FL, they had mostly gone out into the Gulf. It was such an amazing town. Everyone we met was so kind. An easy place to bike, kayak, and hike.

Wildlife park is a must! We like The Freezer restaurant.
Their is a flea market in the area also.
It is a beautiful area.
You can rent boats also.
Or take a tour with a company to see the Manatees on the river...and swim with them.

I wanted to see typical and native wildlife of Florida. Since manatees are quite the animal to visit in FL I decided on spending some time in this area. I am blown away by the waters I have seen so far It is amazing. The people seem very nice to strangers and the area has a laid back feel to it which I really appreciate during a holiday.

Regarding the prefixed questions:some are simply silly!! The area is certainly exciting and unusual. But why TripAdvisor puts risky to visit in the same breath I am at a loss. Those thongs don't mix!!! Therefore I marked not sure ☺

Crystal River is like stepping through a portal to another place. The trip to Crystal River from Orlando is like traveling through Florida’s own, tiny chain of even tinier mountains, and they are awesome. Hey...It’s the best you’re gonna find in Florida. Once in Crystal River, it’s amazing to see all of the little bodies of water everywhere, with all of the eclectic homes built on the waterside. The water is amazing, and provides the perfect tour of said waterfront homes, along with the serene manatees. What an awesome experience!!!

We did a tour with River Ventures for the second time and it was a great trip. Our companion Nathalie explained everything excellently and answered all questions. The boat trip was nice Captain Brian gave us some info about the wildlife. Finally we met on Manatee and were able to swim close with it. Unfortunately, the building with changing rooms, restroom, shop is temporarily not usable due to renovation and it is improvised but that will change again after completion and then this is rated TOP

very peaceful and beautiful waterway located in Florida. Great views of nature- the water clean and inviting. Nice area

Great fun, swimming with the Manatees. Used Travel Ventures, very helpful, friendly staff. Reasonable prices for semi-private pontoon boat.

Went to Crystal River on a whim 1-3-18. Went to Three Sisters Springs center for info on seeing the manatees. Because it was a tour bus tour and my son can't do closed in areas with a lot of people we thought we would not be able to see them since We were told that's the only way. We did find later that you can walk in. We got to see the manatees and I mean a lot of manatees. The volunteers were informative and happy unlike the two ladies at the gate who need a lot of customer service training. After parking across street, come to find out you can drive in. Neither one of them said you can drive in, nether one of them even smiled. We all needed the exercise and fresh air anyway so no problem. Just glad we did not Have an older person with us because of the long distance walk.

Love this river, the water is so clear and it's just so fun to be on the water on this river. During the summer it does get busy so get out early!

This is why we came to Crystal River to see the Manatees, we were not lucky this time as the temperature was very high and the Manatees go out to see when the River gets to warm, the area is lovely though and the ranger we spoke to was most helpful about trying to see the Manatees and gave us a number to call in advance to see if they were on the River

Had to travel here for puppy pickup. The town is basically centered around the manatee sightseeing and fishing.

Having admired Manatees for a lifetime, I wanted an opportunity to see them properly in their natural habitat. Whilst on holiday, my husband booked this snorkelling activity as a surprise. It was an amazing experience. We were put together with a family of 4, so 6 of us in all on the boat. We went "spotting" then snorkelling, then were taken to an actual spring site, where we also snorkelled with fish etc. Beautiful clear waters. Pictures were taken by our guide "Hunter" throughout, he was very well informed and helpful with any questions, joining us throughout in the water. Our boat was expertly driven by Paul K. The office staff were all very friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble. We left out tip money in a jar too

My grandson and I picked the small group experience with six maximum. We had a great time with wonderful guides.
We saw three manatees; I would recommend doing it in the winter with larger numbers.

All the locals were so nice, Beautiful accommodations, Delicious seafood, the water is crystal clear 74 degrees, so refreshing!

This is my third time in Crystal River. I wanted to see manatees, and it was the perfect time of year to go. It's a small town so everything is nearby. Not a lot to do unless you want to be outdoors tho. I went manatee-viewing, kayaking, swimming and scuba-diving. Everything was reasonably cheap also. Nice place for a short get-away.

We stayed here overnight to visit the famous Three Sisters Springs, which has a trolley leaving from City Hall to take you to the springs, which in colder weather are full of manatees keeping warm. There is a very charming Old Town, with quaint shops and restaurants. There are a lot of venues to take you snorkeling and swimming with the manatees, too. It was too cold for us older people but plenty of young folks were in the water with them. The water was crystal clear (hence Crystal River) and the ambiance was tropical lovely. This is a great place to visit and well worth your time.

Staff was amazing, Collin and Capt. Harold were the best, funny, knowledgeable and knew where to find these amazing animlas. Collin is a great photographer also

Swimming with manatees is just what it says: you snorkel above, under, next to the manatees... Great stuff.

We love visiting Crystal River to go kayaking. We've visited before in July and it was a lot more crowded due to scallop season. This year, we visited in June and it wasn't too bad.

We love crystal river ..... second time here in less than a year. The manatees are a must see. Super friendly area.

Swimming with manatees was an adventure beyond words. Not for children, but teens and adults would appreciate this special time. Includes snorkeling. Captain Pete was the best! Wearing wetsuits and more floating than actual swimming. Very impactful experience!

This was one of those life experiences you never forget. These are truly lovely creatures and I'm so honored to have been able to swim with them.

You want to come for the springs but the boats have ruined the river. Once you could see 30 ft down in crystal clear water. Not anymore. The big boats have ruined it for everyone else.

We had a storm that delayed things for an hour but the staff were very professional and safety was paramount. Once in the river, swimming with the manatees is just a fantastic experience. There are strict rules about the interaction and rightly so, but just hover in the water and they will swim right up against you.
The guides are expert at finding them, all the gear is provided so it really was a great experience

Crystal clear Gulf waters for endless scalloping. Several home style restaurants to choose from as well as seafood.

We went with Sea Daddy's dive center for our tour with the Manatees. We were well taken care of. It would have been nice to have an enclosed boat as it was quite cold getting to and from the dive site.

We saw a manatee that looked over a 100 years old! so cool! best during the week. more wildlife when there's less people on the water.

Our group. Nashville Outdoor Adventures, goes here every two years. We will rent two houses, through VRBO, and kayak 4-5 rivers in Crystal River and surrounding communities. You will see manatees and even wild monkeys...love this trip.

Went for the manatee snorkeling with Bird's underwater adventures. Had a great time. The water is 72 degrees year round and feels great on a hot summer day. It is very clear.

Crystal River has very clear water that is a constant 72 degrees, so it an excellent location for dive training. It is visited by Manatees in great numbers. You might get a close look at one snorkeling or during dive training.

Went to kayak the river to see the manatees. I thought I would have a nice kayak trip. It was a nightmare. There were so many boats tours with people snorkeling to see the manatees. The water was dark and murky. I think the manatees should be left alone. It just made me really sad. The scenery was just homes and lots of people. They should NOT have these snorkeling tours. It made me sick to my stomach with all these tours.

This area is under the auspices of both the county and federal governments. Lots to experience from hiking to boating to swimming to manatee observing to bird watching. Lots of options.

My girlfriend and I only had 1 night and half a day at this place, we should have taken a bit longer.
It's beautiful and relaxing.
We did a manatee tour with Bird's Underwater, we can definitely recommend! Do not leave Crystal River without seeing a manatee, they are majestic.

Definitely a great place to see manatees in the winter time , traveled by small gheenoe to 3 sisters, and the sea cows were everywhere, litterly up and close, we probably seen more manatees in one day then our entire life and we live on the beach in Napleswhich your lucky to see one here and there ,it definitely beautiful country, in this area and a must see if you after a new adventure, suggestion though bring or rent a boat

This river is the place to be if you want to see Manatees! There are lots of freshwater springs which are easily accessible. Put it on your bucket list!

Unique, picturesque, and plenty to do. It would take several trips to see everything in the area. We spent an afternoon browsing the local shops and had some great finds.

I booked a room and snorkeling with the manatee through the Plantation on Crystal River. They were excellent in coordinating the stay with the adventure. Also I was given a late checkout with no problem. The hotel and staff were so nice! The drive up to the hotel is lined with trees and there is a beautiful manatee fountain at the entrance. As you enter the hotel there is a gorgeous staircase and beautiful wooden floors. My granddaughter and I enjoyed our stay in the hotel. We had so much fun playing in the game room. Our hotel room was so nice and roomy and had a door to the outside. We had dinner and breakfast which was very good. The wait staff was very friendly! We had a magical night swimming in the large pool and hot tub! There were beautiful lights in the trees. There was a Tiki Bar and a restaurant spilled out onto the patio. Captain Lance was very informative. I had never been snorkeling before and he took the time to make sure I would be alright on my own. He also took me by the arm so I could get a close look at the manatee. We went to several locations looking at manatees until we came to the perfect site! Crystal clear water, underwater springs, and best of all mother manatees with their babies! My granddaughter is eleven years old and said "This is the best day of my life!" She loved the hotel and manatees and wants to come back every year!!

Clear water with a good view of the manatees. Found a very informative gentleman working as a volunteer near the springs that told us manatee stories

Swimming with Manatees had been on my bucket list for awhile - These gentle giants are just amazing to share the water with. If you can get close enough you may even be able to touch one. Am amazing experience I will never forget!

We went today and saw numerous manatee. Even though it is late for them! It was wonderful to kayak here. We began at Hunter Springs park. Beautiful water and lots of wildlife of birds, turtles, manatee, owls. We were there get 9:15 so was able to get parking but it did fill up quickly. Would definitely kayak here again. It was fun exploring!

It had rained for 3 days so we were not sure if fireworks in Kings bay would be a go ! But boy was it . We drove our boat out at 8 or so and sat and waited. And we were not disappointed!!! This was by FAR the best fireworks show CR has had in years ! It was amazing!!! Thank you City of CR !! It was so EPIC . It made the rainy weekend worth it .

Moved here 14 years ago & I have to say that we never cease to feel fortunate & blessed, when we drive back into Crystal River after a trip! Slower pace & varied topography! Water areas & spring fed rivers are lovely!

From start to finish this was a wonderful experience. The staff are amazing, the location is beautiful. Captain Jim so knowledgeable no question went unanswered. They have a swimmer in the water with you, his name is Dakota and he was amazing. No crowds in the water and manatees all over, so glad we went.

Great place to discover to discover the emerald waters of Crystal River, the fauna, flora and magnificent house along the river.

So pretty there! The manatees were so cute! execellent scenery and we went at the perfect time to see the manatees! I exremely recomend it!

Beautiful River. Great trip for the family. Lots of water fun! Scalloping is a must! Will definitely be back!

Such an amazing experience can not wait to go back!!! I hope this will be the first of many visits. The guides with a pressure not only fun and personable but educational.

Stay here to see the Manatees and definitely try the Crab Plant! So many memories made and fun times had!

If you want to experience different type of vacation, clear your mind and connect with nature Crystal River is a place to go. Place like no other!

This is one of the most amazing things you can do in Florida! Get up close with a gentle giant Manatee and take home a T-Shirt from the gift shop at the Plantation Inn. Highy Recommended.

Very disappointing! The color of the river was dark, the amount of tour boats circling around two manatee near Hunter Springs was disgusting, there is very little access to the river itself and the town is not very small.

Visited in the summer, which is not the best time to see the manatee, but our captain and guide were brilliant and myself and my children got a really good view of two manatee.

I would definitely use this company again.

As a kayaker in my seventies, I've been on many adventures, but kayaking down the Crystal River in Florida was truly an experience like no other. I had planned to launch my kayak at the Fort Island Trail Park and paddle about five miles to Fort Island Beach, where my brother-in-law, David, would be waiting for me with the boat trailer. However, battling wind, tide, and sometimes menacing boat wakes proved to be a challenging feat. Oh, and then there was the aggressive alligator but I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

The paddle started off easy enough, a slight wind mitigated the heat of the day, and the scenery was lovely. Boat wakes were fun at first, but then became tiresome. Some boaters would slow down and some would even speed up, as if having a little mean fun with me. After a few hours, I desperately needed to take a break, stretch my back and eat a sandwich I had brought along. The thick rushes along the shore didn't look too inviting, but after some searching, I finally found a tiny patch of sand to beach my kayak. As I stepped out, my foot sank into the soft wet sand, and I had to step side to side to keep from losing my water shoes in the muck. Suddenly, I heard a low growling close by. I looked over the vast sea of rushes and saw a line of grass swaying back and forth. I was sure the growling came from an alligator who was on his way to check me out. Wasting no time, I threw my half-eaten sandwich into the boat and practically jumped into it.

Pushing off from the shore, I saw my instincts were right: a rather large alligator appeared out of the rushes and slithered across the sand into the water. I was ready to fend off the creature with my paddle but, to my relief, it changed course and headed up river. Although relieved that I wasn't attacked, I knew by then that I had judged the tides wrong, and it was harder going than I had planned for. Reaching the wide, island-filled mouth of the river, I was still a mile and a half away from my destination, and the wind and tides were not helping. Plus, each time I put down the paddle to check my position on my phone, I lost about 20 feet of progress. The last thing I wanted to do was give up, but it was becoming increasingly clear that I could go no further.

Just then, a huge manatee raised its head about 10 feet in front of me and bobbed up and down a few times before disappearing altogether. It was almost like the he or she was telling me that I had done enough and it was time to go back. However, it had been almost three hours into my trip, and it was difficult to face a two-hour journey back to my starting point. The map on my phone indicated some thin streams that appeared to go under the road which ran out to the point. Paddling back, I saw the mouth of a stream and turned into it. The first three tributaries came to dead-ends, but the fourth one was the charm.

I reached a small bridge supporting the Fort Island Trail, and I climbed out and pulled my kayak out of the water. But I was still determined to finish my journey somehow, so I decided to hitch a ride out to the point. I thought I looked fairly safe in my paddling gear, sunhat, and holding my paddle, but apparently, I was wrong. A number of cars and trucks whisked by until finally, a good Samaritan stopped and offered me a ride. I felt like I was in a time machine as I was whisked away in a fire-engine red vintage 1970’s Corvette, enjoying the wind in my hair and the open road. Arriving at my destination not in a kayak but a red Corvette, my brother-in-law was a bit surprised, to say the least. He was glad to see me but he also wanted to know where his kayak was!

Although I didn't finish the journey as planned, the adventure down the Crystal River was truly one of a kind. The breathtaking scenery, and the unexpected encounters with wildlife made it a journey that I will always remember. It may have been a battle against the elements, but it was a battle that I was glad to have experienced.

We had no idea that this was such a special and historic state park. The boardwalk in particular was most beautifully constructed, but there were little surprises everywhere. Something for everybody!
We took the half-hour boat tour and were thrilled to view the springs and hear more about the history of the park. Our Captain was very skilled and knowledgeable and kept the corny jokes to the minimum.

This place is amazing, it is laid back, not crowded, the people are friendly, the prices are economical and the beauty is unmatched. If you get a chance, go!

We swam with the Manatees! The tend to gather at the springs in winter - warmer waters. Then they spread out as summer (or heat waves) approach. Ropes mark off the closed areas = people stay out. Be aware of the laws protecting manatees from harm and harassment.

Captain Brody and Megan were fabulous guides. We had a great time swimming with the manatees. Got lots of manatee kisses and hugs on an early January morning. The water getting from the boat to the manatee area wasn’t clear at all. (Not that this is the fault of the company.) Two people in our group were expecting clearer water and got a little freaked out with not being able to see to the point that they decided to head back to the boat. They hung out with Brody while the rest of the group swam. He was very friendly, provided hot chocolate, and talked to them a lot about manatees and other things. The water cleared up in the main area and those of us who swam with the manatees had a great time.

So much fun fishing, boat riding, and manatee watching! We found the area to be very good for a family with children looking to get outside and enjoy their vacation.

Check out Sea-daddy’s and ask for Alyssa and Captain Dave M! Tell them “Gaterhole” sent ya! You can’t go wrong with this adventure company. The staff are very friendly and personable and want everyone to have a great time while respecting these majestic creatures.

We stayed at vrbo listing #2596971 off of fort island trail in Crystal River. Amazing balcony views. Manatees and dolphin in the back yard tidal lagoon that connects to the river. Great price too!

calm waters where you can usually see the bottom and sometimes the beautiful manatees! Many canal and beaches to visit by boat.

Crystal River area is teaming with wildlife above and below the water. The manatee is an amazing creature. So many colorful birds hanging around the river.

If you have a boat then go for it. In general it is a small town with not much to do. I would not plan on a week long vacation in this area, just a couple days. You can go out on a boat tour to see manatees or rent a kayak to paddle out if your an experience paddler. Their is a very small tourist area with some gift shops and a few restaurants and a few parks to see. We thought it was going to be a much nicer area than it was. I actually like the town of Homosassa much better but their really are not any decent hotels in Homosassa.

If you want a break from the beaches and the parks, this is the place. Lots of good restaurants. If you have young ones, there is swimming with the manatees, canoe and boat rental, and tours. The river is spring fed and a constant 72 year round. On our way south we stop for a few days just to take in the atmosphere before the more hectic life south of here.

what a thrill to be up and close to the Manatees. Captain Mike's took good care of us, explained the life of the manatee and why they live there. excellent wetsuits and snorkels with goggles.

My husband and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary swimming with the manatees. He is a great swimmer, I am not. Actually you are floating with a mask and snorkel. I also used a noodle. Our captain, Dustin, and our guide in the water, Courtney, were both wonderful. They both are very knowledgeable and helpful. Courtney made sure each of us were ok and that we got a chance to see the manatees up close without disturbing them. Dustin had warm towels and hot chocolate for us when we got back in the boat. We asked lots of questions and they were very helpful and courtesy. Also wanted to mention the staff in the office, Dennis & Aubrey. They were very friendly and helpful. Aubrey was especially helpful as we needed to change our scheduled time which she did easily and pleasantly. Great experience!!!

This year we went to a bridge known for where the manatee pass under to find warmer water and for kayakers. The day was beautiful! A BBC camera crew and divers were there filming the manatees! We saw manatee cruises pass under the bridge being careful of the manatee as well as the diver. I think we counted 15 or so manatees swimming into the canal. Beautiful area!

Small, quaint town. Lots of small, privately-owned shops and restaurants. Plentiful local wildlife, excellent fishing.

A friend and i did this two times when we were in the area for a four day trip. It is awesome awesome awesome! We chose the crazy early time to make sure there would be less debris stirred up. I'm not sure that worked, but we had an awesome time. I will put up a review with the tour company I used which was River Ventures. I have only great things to say about the company. It was very cold outside the days i went ( below freezing). I wore a single wetsuit the first day and it was okay. the second day I doubled up ( I own two) and was even more comfortable. There were a couple of aggressive snorkelers ( not in our group), so I did what the guides said and had an awesome manatee experience. Listen to the guides - they know!!

Crystal River is so quiet and laid back. The water is so crisp and clear, if I ever get the chance to retire I would certainly want to live in Crystal River / Momosassa area Hidden jem !

definitely recommend .. beautiful day on the river blue colors, and manatees and worth taking a trip to if you live in Florida.. for a weekend stop.

We had a great time with Lance and Steven. We saw many manatees and were able to video some as well. We went during an non active period of the year but had many experiences. This included a great “private” tour (no one was up this early) of the 3 sisters springs. Steven and Lance both gave us some information about the area and the history of the springs and the islands in the bay. It is worth the trip and the experience was awesome. We had a ton of videos and a ton of memories. Thanks Steven and Lance.

First up a big thank you to Phil and Gavin who made the trip what it was. We had a private boat which was pricey but we had 4 hours and our group was aged 18 months to 81. All had a great time. My 4 year old was able to snorkel (first time ever) with Gavin and see a Manatee. My wife and I both had amazing experiences swimming close to and for a good deal of time with a friendly Manatee. Up close and personal- without other groups around us. Felt so special. We say around 5 in total which was good for the time of year when there are no guarantees. Good boat and good ethics re the Manatees. Group trips are cheaper and they seemed to have as good a time as us except we managed what was really one on one time rather than 10 or so. Highly recommended.

I didn't want to leave. The people are very nice and friendly. They are so many attractions, restaurants and things to do. It's not crowded like Orlando. So, that's a plus. If you like nature and want to relax, this is the place to be.

It's a great experience to swim with the manatees. They are serene and beautiful to watch. Be kind and don't chase or touch them, but often their own curiosity may lead them to take a look at you!

We visited Hunter Spring park in Crystal River. It was very busy around noon when we visited, mostly locals launching their kayaks and paddle boards. We didn't see the small sign about paid parking as you enter the park, as we were busy looking for an open space among maybe 40 parking spaces.There is no signage on each space, just the two kiosks on opposite sides of the parking area. Be careful in Crystal River because it seems they have a mixture of "public parking" that is free and paid parking that is patrolled by ticket writers. We were there less than 30 minutes and we got a $50 ticket for not paying the $5 fee.

We swam with the Manatee Dec 31 2017 on the 7:00am tour. It did not disappoint Capt Dustin (the ginger) Capt Memphis were fun and really helped make our experience a Wonderful memorable one. I highly recommend. The resort is an older establishment but clean and comfortable. All the Staff we interacted were courteous and professional. We had breakfast several mornings that was very good.

Captains Thais and Bryan were awesome! Fun day adventure, absorbing lately magical. Highly recommend.

Our family of 9 recently visited Crystal River for a swim with the Manatees. We stayed at the Best Western Inn on the property and the rooms were clean and breakfast good. Nothing amazing but the best option in that area. Just behind the hotel is a rental place where you can rent a pontoon boat for $35 an hour!!! Now I have to warn you that this boat looks like it is rented for $35 an hour but it runs and gets you where you need to go. You can rent wetsuits for only $10 and then we brought our own snorkels but those are only $5. Call ahead and reserve your boat with Jerry 352-795-6798 at the Crystal dive center. Then just follow respectably behind the tours where people are paying $80 a person. If you see a lot of people snorkeling, you can bet manatees are there. Slide in quietly and prepare to be amazed! The joy of bringing your own boat is you get to go where you want to. People who had paid big money never saw one that day. If you own canoes or paddle boards, bring them and do it completely free. This is an experience you don't want to miss! We went on Dec 30th. One tip we learned was the colder the air is outside, the higher the chance you will see Manatees. Water is always 72 and feels great. The whole experience cost us about $200 for a family of 9

The dive shop at Plantation Resort is great. They were so helpful. Wonderful experience, and a great time to go. They made sure we saw and swam with Manatee.

Amazing! It was an experience everyone should do at least once in their life! The guides were amazing and so full of knowledge. I can’t express enough how amazing this experience is. I will definitely be recommending this to all my friends and family.

Friendly staff, they explained what to expect and gave tips on how to get the mnost enjoyment out of the trip.

This is a great spot to swim with Manatees. Excellent for kids but you really have to control your kids from swimming after the manatees. When I was there I saw a few kids chasing the manatees and the guides were getting quite pissed off. They just ruin the experience for everyone else.

National park. Unclear from advertising that each spring is separate so you have to visit multiple springs tô gain full benefit, no boat trips after 1pm. Costly for boat trips or guided tours

Beautiful river but the mantatees had all left the river a couple days prior to our day there because it got warm so they went out to the gulf to gorge we were told. Next time we venture over we will do it when it has been cooler than 80.

We just ate at Saltwater Cowboys Restaurant in Crystal River and are totally impressed with the new owners and the improved menu. All items are fresh, not frozen and all desserts are made on the premises. The blackened grouper was huge with just the right seasoning and came with two sides. The shrimp scampi contained several very large tiger shrimp and was very tasty. We saw a huge burger being served with fried green tomatoes on top. It looked amazing! The fresh made chocolate peanut butter Pie was incredible and the soft white chocolate cranberry cookies were fantastic. The new owner told us that all their steaks and meats are of the highest quality and are reasonable priced. This is the newest edition to Crystal River dining and is an instant hit! Don't let the edifice fool you...there's a jewel inside the doors!

Best crew ever .Captain Ryan and Dive Guide Danni made our trip so fun and enjoyable. . very accommodating...highly recommend these 2 for your adventure ...

Hometown lovely people, courteous drivers are locals, lots of trees & wildlife! Birds, manatees, fishing, palms & pine trees. Beautiful water too, great scallops!

We went to swim with the Manetee and used Bird's Underwater Tour. Well worth the money, they are right on the water and great company.

Been here many times before but just for the day. There's so much to do and so many areas to explore.

We kayaked from our hotel towards Three Sisters Springs to see the manatees and it was a lovely paddle and a real thrill to see these amazing creatures.

You can tell that there is competition amongst various boats. Some guides try to crowd out smaller groups. It is amazing that you can swim with these gentle giants.

During the cooler months in Florida, if you want to see Manatees, this is the place to do it. Especially at Three Sisters Springs. Very nice boardwalk at the springs. Saw about 50 manatees during our visit.

Came here to visit long time friends that recently moved here and they took me out to the river and see the manatees. Great experience.

Crystal River offers numerous activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and boat tours plus has numerous restaurants that collectively offer dinners to satisfy any customer.

We enjoyed our stay at the Holiday Inn Express. It was very nice. Staff great and the rooms were lovely.

There’s nothing like this incredible river with its warm fresh water springs. A kayaker’s and a swimmer’s dream, where on can swim with the thousands of manatees that “Winter over” in its waters and creeks. Or go scalloping. Tours abound. A wonderful place to recreate.

If you want to see the manatees go during the winter months as they come to the springs to be warmer...they come in throngs!
This is also a great spot to scuba and in fact is one of the places to get your scuba license! The city has some quaint shops and a Tea Cafe and coffee shop!

Beautiful area with great restaurants and lots of things to do weather you are single or have a family.

The crew on the boat from our hotel, Plantation at Crystal River where beyond nice and accommodating. However, we went on a 6 am tour as recommended to see the manatees and there where none! It was cold and dark... don’t take a 6 am !!!on the first snorkel not even one manatee.....nada! Just tons and tons of snorkels...Captains looked around for half hour and found a spot where only my husband went in and saw two. We get to see two manatees in our marina all the time! Not worth the drive or the money.

We had a wonderful time with Captain John and Thaisy. They were very informative and took very good care of us while were with them. I highly recommend them to be guides on a Crystal River Manatee excursion! This was a bucket list fulfilment and it truly exceeded our expectations! Captain John and Co-captain Thaisy were AWESOME!!!

Snorkeling in this river is a must do! The water is cold but it's so cool coming face to face with a manatee.

Great restaurants, quaint shops, plenty of places to stay, and best of all...MANATEES. Locals are friendly. Lots of parks and sanctuaries to visit and explore. Plan to stay at least a few days!

The bay is known for the manatee tours, and that is probably the reason for 99% of the stays. It is worth it, but you have to accept that there are neither particularly good hotels nor much good food here.

Swim with the Manatees. Incredible experience. You will never forget being close to these gentle giants!

The one place in the world to see and swim with BEAUTIFUL GENTLE MANATEES. We were there in peak season, but the weather was very warm so very few manatees were in the area

If you want to be with these gentle giants this is the place to be for sure ! Very comfortable and affordable and these people will show you exactly how to do this !!

Crystal River is infamous for wild manatees located throughout the waterways. I've personally swam with these gentle giants a few times and each time is better than the last. There are several dive shops that offer manatee experiences for people of all ages.

Ft Island Beach was very cute, not very big but refreshing on a hot day.

Captain Al was most accommodating in on our situation since we arrived 25 minutes late. We got on the boat without rushing were welcomed with smiles from Joanne as well. Al provided all the gear we needed. Both hosts were very well informed and shred their knowledge readily. Thanks to both……Ken and Robin.

It was an excellent tour to visit with the Manatees. I was not expecting the as a to be canals through residential neighborhoods. The boat traffic on Memorial Day was rude, and wanted you out of their way.

If you love history, archaeology, coastal activities and MANATEES, this is the place to be! Being a Manatee fanatic, I am so in love with this town and look forward to each and every visit. Definitely should be a place on your bucket list, and when you go, make sure you book a guided manatee tour with Bird's Underwater for the ultimate experience!

We went to Crystal River in Jan to swim with the manatees, and had a blast! Beautiful area, and the people are so nice! The springs are gorgeous, and there are lots of observation areas for looking at manatees and wildlife. We went for a girls' trip, and loved every moment!

All along the river is clear blue water. Great for kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, snorkeling. A little beach with a playground, playscape, bathrooms, and water entrance.

Had the Pleasure of kayaking at Crystal River with the Manatees. We rented with Captain Mikes, great place...would recommend! I can't even say enough on how awesome this was to do. Paddle to the spring is a beginner level paddle. Once you get back by the springs, easy paddle. There is just nothing I can compare to seeing one of these majestic animals swim right up or under your boat. It's a "MUST" do if you are down in the area. Check for season as they only congregate at certain times of the year. Still have joy in my heart having seen this. ❤❤

You have got to go to The Plantation at Crystal River! The guides ( Dustin and Mike) were awesome! Our family saw many animals and had a great time!

Put this on your bucket list if you want to swim with manatees. Great area check prices of various trip organisers before booking.

I loved floating with the manatees! Captain Tanner and Marissa were amazing tour guides! Marissa went above and beyond capturing memorable moments of our family adventure! Thank you for helping us make a memory!

Booked the manatee swim through Greyline Orlando and had a great time. Staff was good, and tour was fun and educational. Learned a lot about manatee and other native Florida wildlife. It was very awesome to swim with manatee in the wild and the tour guide did a great job teaching us "manatee manners." These tours are a great way to increase knowledge of Florida manatee and part of the proceeds help manatee conservation efforts.
Our tour guide did a great job finding a spot where there were no other boats so as not to have many other people around. I would recommend paying the extra fee for a wetsuit if you go in the winter months. I went without and although tolerable, it was chilly.

On December 21 my family visited Crystal River for a manatees snorkeling trip by Fun2Dive. It was an experience of a life time. Not only is Crystal river a wonderful little town, the people were amazing and friendly. We stayed at the Holiday Inn express in a 2 KING bed room (great for young adult sisters) and had a fantastic seafood dinner at Crackers Bar and Grill. We participated in a luxury manatee cruise with Fun2Dive at 730am with Ryan and Kelly. Kelly captured incredible pictures and video of us interacting with the manatee, allowing us to enjoy our up close interactions with the manatee. We were amazed at how friendly, curious and cute these gentle giants are!
Again thank you #Fun2Dive

We had a great time swimming with the manatees. We knew going into it that there was no guarantee we would see manatees... not only did we get to see a few of them, we also got to see a baby manatee nursing on it’s mommy!

Crystal River is a very laid back town with lots of activities that will entertain the whole family! The resident manatees in the area are a must to see. You can either book a tour with one of the many companies (I recommend EXPLORIDA) or take a dip at Hunter Springs Park and snorkel out to see them. A kayak would also be a good option!

Enjoyed swimming with the Manatees, I could not believe are large they are. I thought I was looking at a sandbar but it was a Manatee.

We had a wonderful time at 3 sisters spring and got to meet our first wild manatee. The weather was great & the options for families are wide open! Deff recommend a day trip to the spring!

This is a privilege to share the space with such a gentle beast. You could hear them munching on the grass even though you were under water. The staff were very good at their jobs and got us very close to a number of this special animals. If I ever return to Florida this will be top of the list. Won’t bother with an underwater camera this time but just enjoy sharing the water with them.
You are not allowed to touch them. You ave to stay a reasonable distance from them and wait for them to approach you if you are lucky I was and got an eye to eye view with it.

Had lovely dining experiences in Crystal River and Homosassa Springs and great Manatee encounter with Captain Mike's Tours.

Being an animal lover and zoo volunteer, I eagerly looked forward to our visit. We weren't disappointed in our quest to see some manatees. I had a great conversation with volunteer Kimberly... she even thanked me for being a zoo volunteers. I'd recommended spending one's time exploring the sights from the boardwalk... the "hiking" path is very nice, but there's more action in the river.

This experience is something everyone should try! It was so fun and we met a lot of manatees, and the crew was so nice and friendly!

Visited to do a manatee dive and left town feeling like we have friends in Crystal River. Easily our favorite excursion of the family vacation. DJ and Paul at Fun2Dive and Carrie at Charlie's Fish House Restaurant are the kind of people who make you want to move to Florida

The Manatee dive was awesome!!!! Something I will never forget.These are amazing, wonderful creatures. I highly recommend it to everyone.

This was the perfect destination to bring the whole family. The weather in late November was in the upper 70’s during the day and 50’s at night. The people were very friendly and the shops were perfect for souvenirs. We will definitely be back.

This is a relatively small town located on the gulf coast of Florida, which focuses on nature tourism, in particular the manatee population that tends to overwinter here. There are older buildings and businesses as well as more modern amenities. The kind of place that you go on a weekend day to poke around. Their annual manatee festival is well organized and has dozens of vendors and activities.

Amazing town, with friendly people and we love Hunter's! We love kayaking and biking! This is the place!

Water ways very clear and lots to see. Take your time and no your surroundings, be alert of animals in the water. Use a guide for your first visit on the water ways. It is very relaxing and good get away.

Hard to beat Crystal River. Plenty of nature walks and tropical unspoiled foliage. Rented a kayak and explored the river. Stayed and extra day and swam with the manatees, an experience of a lifetime.

Manatees are everywhere! This is such a charming area! So much to do here! If you enjoy the outdoors and are looking for a relaxing getaway, this is the place! Manatee tours, kayaking, snorkeling, b&b’s, amazing restaurants, archeological site, wildlife refuge, the list goes on! I highly recommend a trip in the winter during manatee season or one in the summer during scallop season. The dining options are a huge highlight of this area as well!

Fantastic place to observe nature up close and personal with glass clear water. During Manatee season a unique opportunity to observe them in a unique environment.

John B and Crystal were our tour guides for finding manatees. Super fun VERY neat experience! Well worth it! Thank you guys for educating us and finding some manatees!

We go to Crystal River a few times a year and it is a mixed bag. Some places are great and some just suck. I check all the review sites and still occasionally get a stinker. You can see manatees and get some great seafood, however, it is overbuilt and sometimes crowded.

We experienced a small group manatee swim at Crystal River with guide Dave and Captain Troy from River Ventures USA (booked through Get your Guide). A fantastic experience, with knowledgeable and caring people. Although out of the main season we gor to see a mummy manatee nursing her calf and had interactions with various other manatees.

Whole eperience was tailored to the care and protection of the manatees.

Lovely little touches like complimentary drinks (inc wine) and snacks, as well as a little side trip to the three sisters spring.

Lot's of manatee retail therapy back at base and friendly canine greetings from the puppies. All in all a great day and worth the drive out from Orlando. Thank you

The manatees and snorkelers do kick up sand and sediment, but the water is still very clear and warm; hough 72 is chilly in winter. The manatees are sweet, sweet, sweet. How on earth do boaters hit them when you can see them at the surface? We same with hundreds of manatee and there are so many manatees with scars on their heads and backs. Pay attention people. Town is sweet, but the roads can get busy.

It is an extraordinary experience to go swimming with the manatees. Only - the Crystal River is not crystal clear anymore. Hard to see more then 2 feet. You see the manatees only when they almost touch you! But I recommend it anyway! It was great!

This was a manatee snorkeling adventure booked with Groupon. First, the adventure at 1 pm was great. Captain was knowledgeable, interesting and we snorkeled with manatees. Saw 10. ( early in the day is a better time to go when cooler). we still had a great time. FYI: 21 year olds... highly recommend for any age tho.
A couple notations. We must wear wet suits. Even if water is warm. An additional $30.00 was required when checking in for wet suits ( required) and to cover sales tax ( for 2) . So our “Groupon” wasn’t much of a deal. Later, I drove around and found another great business I’d go to next time.
But. If we hadn’t had the “hidden/required” charges, I would have given it a 4+... wish they’d include this in their “deal!”

Many different parks and wildlife refuges offing views of wildlife including fascinating manatees. Actually swim with the Manatees at the shop located 10460 W New York St, Homosassa, Fl. Fun for the entire family to enjoy being with Manatees in their natural habitat. Crystal River has golf courses, lots of places to eat and so much more. Manatees are typically found in the river springs during the months of November to March.. .

Amber and I had a great time swimming t the manatees. One had a little baby and the mama would float so the baby could nurse. The river was a little hazy but we had great guides and they got us up close . We were with the Fun2dive guides.. we also saw dolphins on the trip back to the dock. I had my prescription goggles so got a clear view while snorkeling. We highly recommend fun2dive .

Stroll through Crystal River, Manatee Capital of Florida, to experience colorful shops full of unique gift items plus antiques, a pub, motel, rental cottages, kayak rental, Journey kayak shop, jewelry store,. We enjoyed viewing vendor booths during the Manatee Festival on January 13.

calling crystal river an attraction seems incorrect. while the town is attractive, it is not an amusement park. it is however charming, friendly and down to earth. i hpe we all can keep it that way.

I loved the town. Wish we could of stayed longer. We visited stores and all the owners were so friendly.

My first trip for scalloping and crystal river was the perfect place! Great restaurants, convenient boat parking, and great access to the scallops :)

This is a beautiful wild life refuge with many birds, fish, wildlife and opportunities to engage in water sports.

Great time. In the water by 7:30am and saw five manatees in no time at all. We snorkeled there for a while and then moved to Three Sisters Springs. Lovely spot with thousands of fish. So many species I won't try to tick them off. I saw a total of 14 manatees. Great trip. Well worth the expense. Be advised the water and air temperature were cool to cold. It was November 11th and Florida or not it was chilly! Highly, highly recommend this trip.

Crystal River is full of manatees in the winter months. When you go out with a professional guide you will see manatees and probably see dozens of them. In the hour we were out on the Crystal River in January we saw at least 50 of them.

I was surprised at the number of manatees we were able to experience! They were gentle creatures who appeared to enjoy interacting with our small group. It is one of the most fun things I have ever experienced.

Captain Ross at Plantation Manatee Tour was great, but not as great as the manatees. Fantastic experience that will keep you smiling forever.

the whole area is basically a tourist site. Many locations to view manatees from. Try the Port Hotel or Homosassa Springs state park.

Easy going laid back town atmosphere. Quite picturesque downtown and the perfect launching point for swimming with manatees.

Captain Steve Browning was my Captain. It was a really good trip and he was so helpful to me. I was having a problem with my snorkel and mask getting water in them and then me getting choked. He saw me having trouble and held on to me the rest of the time of the swim. I had gotten scared by then and was so thankful for him holding on to me. I know I really caused him extra trouble holding on to me and still trying to get pictures of everyone swimming with the Manatee and the Manatee swimming around all of us. He went the extra mile to help and I really hated that I was an extra burden on him. I'm 70 years old and was doing the swim in remembrance of my daughter's birthday that was that day(the 5th.). She passed away some years ago. I can swim and usually wouldn't have had any trouble but got scared because of all the water getting in my mask and mouth piece and I was emotional because of what day it was. I apologized to him several times but he was so nice and said it was his job and I didn't need to apologize. It was a dream come true to get to go on the swim and have the Manatee active and all around us. We had been on another Manatee swim 2 days before this and had to get out of the water after 15 minutes because of the weather and saw only sleeping Manatee(4) at a distance and froze to death on the trip with wind and rain and no covered boat. I was devastated and thought my special swim wasn't going to happen but then heard about your trip and decided to try again. Captain Steve was truly caring and asked several times was this trip what I had been hoping for and I told him it really was. My birthday was 12/31 and my daughter's was on 1/5 and I wanted to see the Fireworks display on 12/31 at Sea World and swim with the Manatee on 1/5 for our trip from South Carolina. She would have loved every minute of it all. Thanks again and thanks so very much to Captain Steve!!!! I hope to come again and swim and be around more of those gentle creatures! Sincerely, Linda Reid

This is Florida's "Nature Coast" which means there are no big white sand beaches here, no high rise buildings. However, for nature lovers it's the best place in North America to see manatees in the wild, especially in the winter months when they come into the local hot springs, such as Three Sisters Spring. The Crystal River Chamber of Commerce runs trolley tours to Three Sisters when the manatees are there. They usually start to arrive when the Gulf gets cooler, in late December or January..

There's also the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park with its own spring and some captive rehabilitated manatees swimming free in the spring. They can't be released into the wild for various reasons. The wildlife park also has other rescued wild animals and birds of many varieties. Their interpretive programs are great for kids or adults and you could spend half a day here. There's a gift shop and snack shop on the premises or you can bring a picnic lunch.

Many people come to the area for boating, fishing, and scalloping in season. There are guided scalloping and fishing tours if you don't want to go it on your own. There are numerous national forests in the area for hiking or birding and the marsh reserves along the Gulf also are great for birding.

Except in the hottest weather, the Coast Guard runs historic and cultural info boat tours out into the Gulf. These take about two hours and are well worth it. You can see the Indian mound side along the river, the shell piles the Indians left behind, and lots of birds. We saw eagles, ospreys, many wading birds, and some wild manatees.

There's a small, quiet beach at Fort Island with rest rooms and changing rooms. The water there is shallow for young kids or elders who can't take the waves and the setting is quite lovely. It's a fairly long drive (20 minutes) from the town of Crystal River out to the beach but worth the trip.

This is not a town with lots of entertainment, kids' rides, movies, or similar kinds of touristy beach attractions. It's a quiet area that best suits nature lovers. Best bets for eating out are some of the restaurants on the water along the rivers. For most families, a three day visit would probably show you most of what Crystal River has to offer.

Everyone in the family loves this place. Fish, scallops, dolphins, turtles. Always an interesting trip. Try to get a trip out on a boat for the best effect.

Everyone should do this activity at some point in their lives. The manatee encounter will stay with you forever. There is nothing like it.

Whether manatees,turtles and fish are your thing or kayaking on the river crystal river has something for everyone.

Great for manatee seeing in winter time, many tour companies offer all kinds of trips. If you are in Florida it is worth the trip. Come early in the morning for best views

In Crystal River you can swim with the manatees!!!!

Very nice experience. Manatees look very impressive and terrifying because of their huge size. But they are adorable.

The great thing is that you have the chance to visit them in their natural environment (and not a type of water zoo etc)

Make sure you visit in a period the Mena tees are in this Area. For example after March there is low chance of finding manatees there.

It took us quite some time to spot just a couple of manatees.
Even like this, the experience was great.

Make sure you have an underwater camera. You wouldn't like to miss any chance to take some pics or videos.

The area is picturous and very peaceful and tranquil. You also have the chance to swim.

What a great way to get up and close to these gentle giants! The river is 72 degrees all year round and they come in between November and March. Saw a couple of mothers and babies.

Crystal River is loaded with things to do. If you love being around water like I do there's lots of things like fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking or boating. Crystal River has several Springs that stay 72 degrees all year round and this is where the manatees like to hang out. Another added bonus is a lot of great restaurants here. There's local parks for kids to play. Crystal River holds several festivals throughout the year that involve arts and crafts and live music.

kings bay park or hunters springs park very up todate well maintain parks if want to swim with the manatees hunters springs if lucky they may be in swim zone [lots of time they are but not every day

The water was a little chilly but the wet suit they provide keeps you pretty warm, but not dry in case you don't know how a wetsuit works (we didn't). Swimming with the manatees was so awesome! We will definitely be going back

if you want a memorable experience kayaking with family and friends in an unspoiled environment then this is the place for you.

Crystal River is Old Florida. That means run down and shabby. There is nothing pretty here. Even the manatees leave at the first breath of warm air. The nearby islands in Kings Bay are all off limits as are most adjoining waters. Elderly eco-nazis patrol the waters in their sit-on-tops spewing gratuitously condescending advice to all unwashed tourists. Every commercial building looks like it is ready to fall down. Boats are abandoned in the water everywhere, and even the ones moored at docks have not been cleaned in decades. In a word...trashy.

Crystal River is a beautiful place to visit, clean, lots of things to do, great restaurants, the people are soooo nice! I will be back!

3 sisters looks great/the manatee are healthy,happy,,and protected here. thank you fish and wildlife staff,and volunteers. even though the staff is national,and had to work and not get paid,they worked tirelsy next to old and new volunteers,year in and year out.

Whe had bad wetter but besides the good restaurants wasn't there much to see in this little village.

I was i was in heaven, and surrounded with these gentle potatoes. Kelly and Troy were so informative. As soon as I got off the heated boat, There was a big beauty rolling around and kissing me. I couldn't ask for a better birthday present.

We were on a “Mystery Tour” while visiting Davenport and part of the tour gave us the opportunity to visit Crystal River.
There are more things to do in this beautiful town than can be listed here!!
We came for lunch at Amy’s Cafe and spent about 1 1/2 wandering the Main Street in and out of shops and art galleries. We could have and would have loved to have spent more time but it was getting late.
I am definitely going to return to this wonderful town in the future!!

Crystal River is such a great place to explore and view wildlife at your leisure. It's a slow paced town with great choices for seafood meals, and loads of recreation.

Friendly people and beautiful springs. I fell in love wth the Florida panhandle here. I recommend finding a good tour early morning tour first if you are here to see Manatees. They can be hard to find and you want to make sure you are respectful and gentle around them. I also recommend renting a kayak if you're physically able and touring the bay and three sisters springs. The waters are beautiful and felt healing to me. Also October is a great time to visit manatee area before a lot of the springs and protions of the bay are closed to protect the Manatees in November.

It's a beautiful area, and although we only saw a few manatee, we did get to swim with them and had a great time, Looking forward to coming back in January.

You can see it all from Crystal River. Fresh water springs with manatees. Saltwater with Dolphins. Free Beaches and Parks for swimming in the springs. Don't pay for these by some advertising company. Its FREE. Bring a boat to see Dolphins or manatees or rent a Kayak or small Jon boat or a Pontoon for the family and stay all day or as long as you like.

Started out with a short video of protocol and general tips, put our wet suits on and away we went. Branden and Hunter were amazing they love their jobs they have knowledge and respect for the Manatee it was a pleasure for us to be part of the tour.
Amazing experience, thank you

Beautiful in winter with manatees. You have to access by kayak or tour boat. Swim/snorkel tour is totally worth it.

This is the place to come if you want to see manatees up close and personal! You can actually get in the water with them and snorkel around and enjoy seeing them in their natural habitat. We saw a mother and nursing calf. This is much better than other places, where all you see are their noses coming up for air!

Great place to visit. Water was more dark and cloudy than we expected. All the pictures show clear water with blue, we saw very little of that. Still a very nice, quiet place to visit with other activities to do in the area.

We stayed at The Port Hotel and Marina and had Manatees feeding only 20 yards from our dock, and thousands of water birds everywhere. It was truly a paradise on earth and we'll return next year. :)

We had a great time at this little beach. Cute ice cream truck is there on the weekends. Decently clean bathrooms and showers are a plus. We got a $17 out of state fishing license and a few cheap crab traps with chicken for bait and caught crabs right off the pier!! Nice walkway through the trees from beach to pier was a surprise!

This was an excellent experience, and John and Bob, our captains/tour guides from the Adventure Center were great....helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable and funny. They were both great!! Bob even got us extra towels when I think he was not supposed to, LOL. Thanks for a absolutely great manatee experience!!

Drove around and visited Three Sisters Springs where the manatees live for the winter. We also had some great BBQ at Bubbaques in Heritage Village. We'll be trying some other recommended places to eat in the next several weeks.

Photos are additional $42.50. No photos are included! The crew bickered with coworkers on other boat. We did see 2 manatee. The experience was amazing but would go with another company in the future.

We swam with the manatees went to the manatee festival and had some great meals at the local restaurants. Loved visiting Crystal River!

fun place for sure so much to see and do so many nice people around to help and hte view is fantastic

We have a lot of fun in Crystal River! We have been going there for about 8 months now and we've found Hunter Springs Park and Kings Bay to be lovely! Also enjoyed Fort Island Beach for the ocean-front beach. We frequent Amy's cafe and River Ranch. We rented some kayaks and had such a good time that we purchased 2 of our own. We took the kayaks out and saw manatee and we recently saw dolphins swimming and playing through the river between Kings Bay and Hunter Springs Park! Wow! Crystal River is cute and fun to be in! We'll be returning over and over, discovering new things and enjoying our favorites!

We had a great visit and really enjoyed that the town is focused around preserving and protecting the manatees and their habitat.

We left Stuart, FL for a 3.5 hour drive to see something new and different. We are coastal folks, used to the ocean and salt life. We adventured to Crystal River and what a nice surprise. We stayed at Kings Bay Lodge, an upscale and renovated fish camp. Our room (#12) looked out on Kings Bay and the fresh water spring swimming pool. We used Plantation water sports and did a scenic tour of Kings Bay one day and a 'swim with manatees" another day. The guides were knowledgeable, interesting and fun. We also went to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, highly recommended. We spent about 5 hours there! Visited the Crystal River Boat Builders. Great folks doing a fine job! Dined at Vintage on 5th (exc), Noton's (so-so), Grannies (great). Snorkeled at 3 Sisters Springs which was wonderful. Never snorkeled in fresh water before. The springs are electric when the sunlight shines on them. Wow, fun place and nice 4 day getaway. Enjoy

Did Manatee swim here. Beautiful River with many springs bubbling up. About a 90 minute drive from St Pete Bch.

Bringing my own kayak was a plus as my dog sat in front with me. It's a great place, not to be missed. As it was the warm weather, we did not see any Manatees. Water is totally crystal clear. We want to go back in cooler weather to be with the Manatees.

We stayed at the Plantation Inn and we were very pleased with our stay. Not only did we see the Manatee with Captains Bob and Misty out of Adventure Center but we also saw several right outside the Inn. We really enjoyed our stay and plan on returning with our Grandkids!!

II think crystal river and the area is one of the most beautiful natural beauties is Fl, we need to keep it that way.

My 15 year old daughter and I recently stopped in Crystal River on the way home from Tampa to swim with manatees. We found the whole area to be charming and relaxing. Took a walk down the quaint Citrus Street with moss-covered trees and had a smoothie at Raw Juice Bar. Highly recommend for a short getaway.

Nice get away to visit some of the beautiful springs in the area and there are plenty. If you like to snorkel and with some luck swim with manatees, this is one of those places.

First time at Crystal River yesterday. We went on a boat and toured the area. Saw many manatees. Boaters need to drive slowly with no wake in order to not harm the manatees. Clear, shallow water here. Can't wait to swim there!

Apparently, some folks and/or visitors to Crystal River feel COVID is not a threat.

Despite posted policies for mask-wearing, people are milling around without masks at the Home Depot and at Publix.

AND no one with those stores s following up to tell the folks to mask up or leave.

Took a trip with River Ventures to snorkel with the manatees. The experience lived up to all expectations. There were manatees everywhere - had been a very cold winter so far - and the water was extremely clear.

Friendly town that truly cares for the manatees and all the wildlife around. Scenery is gorgeous and could spend hours watching the manatees

Had a good cruise on the river. have fun walking around the town. Wish we signed up for swimming with manatees on the river. Crystal River is a beautiful place to visit

I really want to live here!! My new dream job ... manatee swim tour guide!!! This place is such a cute little town and the river is amazing!!!

Our extended family vacationed here. The springs were our favorite thing, with kayaking and swimming offered in several locations. There is no beach here. We hiked and fished, kayaked, visited the state park wildlife place, took an airboat ride, and floated in tubes down a river where we were not allowed to use our own tubes. Those were our highlights. The bugs were unbearable, until a local told us to get Captain Ron’s bug spray, or something like that. I won’t be visiting this area again.

Wonderful, friendly and relaxing place to visit. THe manatee adventure tours and kayaking tours are amazing.

I’ve been to Crystal River in both the spring and the winter. Both times had many manatee encounters, but winter had many more. I highly suggest trusting River Ventures with your manatee experience.

Misty and Mike gave us a thrilling experience. As soon as we QUIETLY entered the water, a mother manatee with a nursing calf approached us. Being careful to stay on the surface, paddle with only our hands, and keep our legs and feet still, we snorkeled with the two for a long while. Then. We boarded the boat to follow more of these beautiful creatures. At the end of our tour, we were served hot coffee and hot chocolate. It's best have have some snorkeling experience so you are calm when the manatees swim close.

Its beautiful and great efforts have been taken to preserve the pristine natural setting of the springs, the river, manatee and wildlife habitat that provide outstanding water related recreational opportunities. Passive, its one of natures wonders for your enjoyment all day or several days. The land side businesses and restaurants all support the enjoyment of Crystal River. You can spend the day on the water and the evening at one of the numerous dining establishments where you can get good food and entertainment. You can't go wrong.

Crystal River is absolutely beautiful. Great places to hike, swim, see manatees and just enjoy nature.

Stayed at the Plantation Inn, kayaks all over, swam with the manatees, visited three sister springs, just an awesome area with so much to do.

We specifically came here to swim/kayak with the manatees. We saw 2 on the river and 5 in the roped off area! According to the website there's hundreds at that time of year. We were there at the end of February. The river is calm but not very long. The bay is very rough to cross to get to the calmer waterways. The videos and pictures on the website make it seem like there are manatees swimming all around you. This was not the case. They also rope off the places for the manatees so you can't get close to them. I'm all for protecting them but not being mislead into thinking I was going to be surrounded by them. That was disappointing.

We used River Ventures for a Manatee snorkeling trip on Kings bay and also an airboat ride in Homosassa Springs with Capt. Gavin. The snorkeling trip was amazing so I wrote a Separate review. I just wanted to say that the 1.5 hour airboat tour in Homosassa Springs with Capt. Gavin was 5 star all the way. He kept us entertained with some local history in the no wake zone. We then went on a great trip through the mangrove areas that my 11 and 12 year old boys loved. He was a masterful Captain throughout. We went out to the Islands before you enter the gulf and observed turtles, small sharks, fish many stingrays. It was such an exciting and also relaxing trip at the same time. Great for for families. You won't be bore! Awesome!

Crystal River is a great mix of quaint and modern. The springs are gorgeous. The manatee experience is unmatched.

This is a beautiful river! You can canoe and kayak to Three Sisters Springs which is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. There are lots of fish at the spring, and occasionally a manatee! The water is beautifully clear. You can book a manatee cruise for the river. You will love this pristine spring/river!

Best time to go is between Jan and Mar but only if it's cold...when it warms up they head somewhere else...

Brian & Hunter took us to swim with the manatees. These guys knew exactly where to go. Our group saw numerous manatees. Brian is in the water and makes sure each guests has a unique and unbelievable experience! Hunter captains the boat and sees manatees everywhere. This adventure was well worth it! Three hours proved to be plenty of time in the water. At the end, you’re a bit chilled: Brian and Hunter make you hot cocoa or tea! I’ll never forget this special day with my daughter!

Beautiful place. Swimming with and seeing manatees was amazing. Nice people and excellent rest. Would go back again in a heartbeat.

We took our boys 19 and 21 on a manatee snorkeling tour at The Plantation on Crystal River and it was AWESOME! Captain Lance and Steve were great guides... they knew all the right spots and we saw manatees In 2 separate areas and even played with a baby manatee who rolled on its back and let us pet his belly like a dog... we swam in Three Sisters Springs and also king spring which was beautiful. Steve knew all the places to show us the best fish and springs- we will definitely return in winter and ise this company again.

This is a Wonderful and beautiful area to explore.Love taking boat trips there whenever we get the chance. Plenty of great restaurants along the way, cruise by Monkey Island then travel down to see the Manatees. Good place to fish too.

We were only in town for a night, but are already talking about making Crystal River the destination of another trip. There is so much to do and explore in the area. We love doing things outside so we want to get back!

We did see manatees and lots of turtles. It was a very peaceful and relaxing day on the water! This was the time of year manatees usually head out to the bay but we still saw several! We rented from Crystal River Kayak Company. We will be back again!

We have gone on boat tours, and rented kayaks and boats to explore Crystal River and it is a beautiful spot to enjoy nature. The town is slow paced, but there are many nice seafood restaurants .

Very disappointed in this trip. I read excellent reviews prior to booking the week before I went. The ac on the bus not working bagged meals you had to eat on the hot bus. Before we even got moving from the dock the guides told us there was little chance to see any manatee that day. The water in the river was barely knee deep and so murky you couldn’t see anything. It was about 70 degrees out and they said the manatee had left the area. The boat we were on was not great staff had a lot of trouble starting it as we moved around to about 3 different areas to find a manatee. They show you a movie on the bus, very deceiving. The only good spot was swimming in the spring area and because we spent so much time looking for the manatee we only stayed there a few minutes. The workers were nice but that was it. Don’t waste your time or money on this trip.

It was during the cold snap and there were hundreds of manatee in the spring and channel. I took the trolley to the viewing area and stayed for a couple of hours, watching and taking photos. Incredible

Lots of great shopping and delicious restaurants! We visited over Memorial Day weekend and it wasn't too crowded. It was a pleasurable experience!

Book your tour with Plantation. They will make sure you have a great time. The manatees are wonderful. Its definitely worth it to spend a little extra money paying for a tour.

Crystal River is a great place to spend a few days. So much to do and see. Shop at the cute stores on the Citrus Ave, eat at one of the great restaurants or see the manatee's...so much to do!

Beautiful place to swim with Manatees, enjoy a boat trip and snorkel down to freshwater springs. Lots of turtles and birds to view

Captain Wade & Trish made this 1st time experience for our group of 11 AMAZING. Definitely worth it!

Friendly people, lots of activities, good food! Swimming with manatees is the best Definitely a place to visit.

The trashiest place we visitied in our 8 day road trip through florida. Cussing and drug use was everywhere. Older drunk people at all times of day in every restuarant, springs, beach, coffee shop, etc we went to. Cigarette butts everywhere. Cussing and cigarette butts all over the beach at Hunter Springs. Grown men cat-calling our children. It really sucks that such a beautiful place is just all around so trashy

What a joy to see the sea life in the river. Snorkeling in the river and seeing the springs was awesome. I will come back and stay in Crystal River instead of the beach spots next time. Loved it!!

we had a blast. Scalloping is always a fun time. We stayed at a private home along the river and enjoyed every moment.

It takes about two hours from Tampa to crystal river

There are many nice hotel there and different activities for you to take part in

Nice place. Manatee viewing is special. Saw dozens of manatees. Manatees are not very active, so after 10-15 minutes the visit just becomes a nice walk. Worth at least one visit.

This is a great area to visit if you enjoy a nature wonderland. Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River is a stunning natural park and there are cute shops and cafes along the road in the quaint downtown area.. Just down the road is Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, a wonderful place to visit for adults and children alike. Kayaking the Homosassa River to the springs is a fun adventure for the whole family. Highly recommend visiting Crystal River and Homosassa, the Best Little Towns in Florida.

Great place to visit. You’ll need to bring kayak or rent one or take a manatee boat out to swim w them. It’s a must do when in this area. Nothing like seeing a Manatee close up

This is such a great town. It has that old Florida feeling. The manatees are amazing. Great public park on the spring. Nice restaurants. Friendly people

In late July they sometimes have a hard time finding them but we were really lucky and found a mother and a baby and one other large manatee.

Been going to Crystal River for 30 years. It used to be clean and pristine, but today went for Mother’s Day and wow what a dirty not kept up place. The state needs to shut it down for 5 years or so to replenish this place back to its beauty. Too many kayaks and they are ruining this beautiful place.swimming in the back is safer for the erosion. People climbing all over the sides and kayaking on the shores and ramming it. It’s definitely a disappointment as I’ve been coming for years here. Save crystal river I say, people have no respect for nature. So they shouldn’t be able to enjoy it and ruin it. I hope the state does something soon or it will be ruined forever.

I was so desapointed by the actual river. All the pictures I had see was in CHRYSTAL clear water, you could see those beautiful mammals. The reality of my experience was a filthy river with cloudy water, when snorkeling I could not see anything further then my hands.

This time of year there may be manatee tours to Three Sisters Springs. An hour's drive, this is one of our regular go-to places. We can't wait for the Suncoast extension to open so we can get up here faster and come more often! (around Feb 2022). Lots of neat gift shops, restaurants (see my review of Tea Room 650), a nice park with boardwalk on the river etc or just drive through the tree-lined back streets. Highly recommend a visit!

Capt Mike and John B took us on a 3 hour experience that I wish everybody could experience. If you are an animal lover they just gave you the most unbelievable experience ever.My wife had a mom and baby come right up to her face, interacted and then hey both rolled over to be scratched under their fins and their bellies. We swat least 100manatees coming and going. We may have seen different manatees many times.Do this once in your life

We stayed at the Plantation on Crystal River and they offered a swimming-with-the-manatees tour, and it was one of the most fun things I have ever done. Our guides Dustin and Memphis made sure we were in the right area to see them and get up close. A baby one even came up to me face to face. Such an amazing and memorable event!!!

Our group had a wonderful experience with the manatees and the American Pro Diving Center. Would definitely do this again.

Lots of manatees in crystal clear water and easy to see
Park quiet and not unkempt
Staff were friendly and informative
Very pleasant walk round Park itself